In the aviation industry, securing aircraft is paramount. Our company specializes in manufacturing locks for aircraft, offering three primary keyway systems: Aviation, Citation, and Hawker. Each keyway serves different aircraft manufacturers and models, providing varying levels of flexibility and security. This article provides an in-depth look into each keyway, their compatibility, and how they cater to different needs within the aviation sector.
Keyway Systems
1. Aviation Keyway
Flexibility: The Aviation Keyway offers the highest level of flexibility among our keyway systems. Aircraft that use the Aviation Keyway can be keyed alike, allowing for a single key to operate locks across various aircraft within this keyway.
Production Time: Keys for the Aviation Keyway are produced within 1-2 days, ensuring quick turnaround times for replacements.
Common Manufacturers: This keyway is widely used by several leading aircraft manufacturers, including Bombardier, Gulfstream, Embraer, Pilatus, HondaJet, and some newer Dassault/FalconJet aircraft.
Advantages: The main advantage of the Aviation Keyway is the ability to rekey locks to match all other aircraft within this system, providing a unified key solution for a fleet.
2. Citation Keyway
Specificity: The Citation Keyway is designed specifically for Citation aircraft, manufactured by Cessna. These locks cannot be keyed to match other aircraft types, offering a unique security feature exclusive to Citation aircraft.
Identification: Citation keys are identifiable by the Cessna logo, making it easy to distinguish them from other keyways.
Production Time: The lead time for Citation keys is approximately 2-3 weeks, reflecting a more specialized production process.
Compatibility: Citation locks can only be rekeyed to match other Citation aircraft. To match locks with aircraft from different manufacturers, the locks must be replaced with those from the Aviation Keyway.
3. Hawker Keyway
Versatility: Older Hawker aircraft use the Hawker Keyway, while newer models have transitioned to the Aviation Keyway, reflecting a shift towards greater flexibility.
Identification: Hawker keys are typically marked with stamps such as "123XH" or "XA123," which helps in identifying the specific keyway system.
Production Time: The lead time for Hawker keys is about 2-3 days, similar to the Aviation Keyway but significantly faster than the Citation Keyway.
Compatibility: Like Citation locks, Hawker locks can only be rekeyed to match other Hawkers. To integrate these locks into a broader keying system, they must be replaced with Aviation Keyway locks.
Key Considerations
Flexibility vs. Specificity: The Aviation Keyway offers unmatched flexibility, allowing for a single key solution across a diverse fleet. In contrast, the Citation and Hawker keyways provide specificity, catering to unique security requirements.
Lead Time: Understanding the lead time for key production is critical for managing fleet operations and ensuring timely access to replacement keys.
Compatibility: The ability to rekey or replace locks to integrate into the Aviation Keyway system provides options for operators seeking uniform keying solutions across their fleet.